The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP): How Does this Degree "Fit" into School Nursing Practice?

By Shanyn Toulouse, DNP, MEd, RN, NCSN posted 12-05-2022 11:49

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How does a DNP "fit" into School Nursing practice? This is an interesting question, and one I'm not sure that I really could have answered prior to beginning my own DNP work. One of the main focuses of the DNP-level nurse is to gather, analyze, synthesize, and translate research into practice. Much of DNP work is quality improvement, which is one of the key principles of the NASN Framework for 21st School Nursing Practice!

We know that QI plays a very important role in day-to-day nursing practice in any setting. I believe that all school nurses participate in "QI" without even realizing it. For example, if a school nurse creates a new form or process, then realizes a revision would improve some part of the form or process...that's a "QI" type of project. Of course, there are formal evidence-based QI tools and processes that industry professionals use. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Lean, and Six Sigma, for example. So many of these tools are easy to implement and using these tools makes your QI work that much more replicable, reliable, translatable, and publishable. While this type of work (QI) is important in any clinical setting, the isolating nature of our profession makes the dissemination (sharing, publishing, reading) of QI and other research related work that much more important. Even more powerful are partnerships with our PhD School Nurse colleagues who can elevate the work that much more. Strong partnerships facilitate the creation of formal research studies that our DNP colleagues will then gather, analyze, synthesize, and translate! Sound familiar? Full circle and so powerful!

If someone is considering an advanced degree (PLEASE do!) and is not sure whether a DNP program or a PhD program is a better fit, think about the type of work you like to do. If you are more of a short-term, quick-fire, pilot program, quality improvement person, a DNP is your jam! If you like designing research studies, interacting with research review boards, statistical analysis, sticking with projects long term, writing and publishing, or are considering a relationship with a college or university, maybe a PhD is a better fit. Of course, there are elements of all of this in both DNP and PhD programs, and talking with colleagues who have gone through both of these types of programs can help someone sort out which is a good fit for you. If you are asking yourself if all that work and money is worth it...the answer is a resounding, "Yes it is!" Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you're considering a DNP. I'd love to chat with you!

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Shanyn A Toulouse, DNP(c), MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN
Massachusetts Director
shanyntoulouse@hotmail.com
shanyn.toulouse@haverhill-ps.org
978.761.2307 Mobile
"We can't educate children who are not healthy, and we can't keep them healthy if they're not educated."
M. Jocelyn Elders, MD, Former Surgeon General of the United States
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NASN’s Framework for 21st Century School Nursing PracticeTM (the Framework) provides structure and focus for the key principles and components of current day, evidence-based school nursing practice.

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